S. Korea raises typhoon alert level to 'vigilance' from 'attention'

SEOUL, Sept. 21 (Yonhap) -- The interior and safety ministry on Saturday elevated the weather alert level to "vigilance" from "attention" as Typhoon Tapah tracking northward is expected to affect parts of the country's southern region over the weekend.

Interior Minister Chin Young presided over a meeting of related ministries and provincial governments to make the decision and discuss ways to minimize potential damage from the typhoon, this year's 17th.

The officials decided to check vulnerable areas, such as steep slopes, and ensure that measures are well in place to prevent flooding, power outages and other problems that could occur as the typhoon approaches.

"I ask citizens to refrain from going outside when the country is under the influence of the typhoon and ensure their safety when there are concerns about the possibilities of landslides or flooding," Chin said.

The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said that Typhoon Tapah is expected to pass through the waters east of the southern island of Jeju during daytime Sunday and then move past the Straits of Korea and toward the East Sea at night on the day.

At around 9 a.m. on Monday, the typhoon is expected to stay in waters 290 kilometers northeast of the country's easternmost islets of Dokdo.

Noting that the typhoon can bring strong winds and heavy rain, a KMA official warned of "serious" damage from the typhoon and called for citizens' "thorough" preparations to prevent or reduce possible damage.

The center of the typhoon may come closest to the southeastern port city of Busan at around 10 p.m. on Sunday. The weather agency also does not rule out the possibility that the typhoon could make landfall on the country's southern coast.